Why Not by Leah Puyat

Monday, May 28, 2012

Toni Gonzaga: Having it All with Coke Zero

One of today’s biggest stars is finally a member of the COKE ZERO family. Yes, she is not your ordinary celebrity. In fact, she’s a total package: a talented singer, a beloved actress and a multi-awarded TV host rolled into one. And did we say she’s oozing with beauty, wit and charm?

She’s the Philippines’ Ultimate Multimedia Star, the one and only, Toni Gonzaga. No question, she does have it all. That is the very reason why no other -person fits just perfectly to be the new face of COKE ZERO. With the same Great Taste and Zero Sugar we’ve loved and enjoyed for years, the world-renowned beverage brand is pumped up to open another exciting chapter with a new ambassador that sets the best example when it comes to living life to the fullest, embodying its refreshed battlecry to the core: Have It All.

“Toni Gonzaga is just the perfect brand ambassador for COKE ZERO. We’ve practically watched her blossom before our eyes and we all admire her for really chasing after her dreams and making it! She’s achieved remarkable things and at the same time, enjoys what she’s doing.. COKE ZERO is proud to have someone like her who does have it all, the same way the brand makes it possible for you to have all you want in a beverage - Great Taste and Zero Sugar,” says Nikki Lee, Brand Manager for Coke Zero.

To officially kick off the exciting surprises this new tandem-to-beat has lined up, COKE ZERO gathered friends from the media, top bloggers, fans and other special guests for a day to Have it All with Toni Gonzaga last May 23, 2012 at The Gallery in Greenbelt 5, Makati City. In this intimate affair, partakers were able to spend a day with the new COKE ZERO ambassador to discover just why COKE ZERO is the beverage for those who, like her, live life to the fullest.

Toni shares her excitement over the new endorsement: “I feel really blessed to be able to represent a brand like COKE ZERO because we stand for the same things: that you don’t have to compromise on the things that make you happy – that you can have it all, for as long as you put your heart into it. Fortunately, when it comes to beverage choices, COKE ZERO gives just that, a chance to have it all: great taste na, zero sugar pa! Ano pang hahanapin mo?” says Toni. Indeed, it’s simply the beverage brand for those uncompromising go-getters who want to have it all.

COKE ZERO and Toni Gonzaga is no doubt a winning combination. Not only does Toni have the looks, the guts and the talent; the multi-hyphenated star is also a testament to what the brand espouses: having it all. However way we look at it, this one seems like a match made in heaven. And we could only look forward to great surprises from this power duo the whole year through.

With no less than the new face of Coke Zero, Toni Gonzaga!

Coke Zero, anyone? Love the 100 taon design!

Strike a pose, Toni!

She has it all!

Brand manager of Coke Zero, Nikki Lee.

Nikki & Toni. Sounds like a team!

The have-it-all girls, Rikka Dylim, me & Angelette Calero.

Jairus Ferrer, Gretchen Fullido & the host of the event RJ Ledesma.

Cosmo's style setters Donna Pita & editor-in-chief Myrza Sison.

Mega's senior advertising manager Ina Arabia.

Metro's editorial assistant Katrina Angco & beauty editor Charmagne Laconico.

Manila Bulletin's Style Weekend editor Liza Ilarde.

Fashion bloggers Kelly Medina & Angeline Rodriguez.

The Enciso sisters, Vem & Vernice.

New blogger in town, Jairus Ferrer & Star World's Nicky Daez.

Toni's one on one with RJ Ledesma.

Love the setup!

Friday, May 25, 2012

Fashion week arrivals

Here's my simplistic way of summing up Fashion Week: new collections + old friends = fashion fun

But sometimes, Fashion Week can also mean new friends. Ever since Bench invited several Dubai based designers to be part of their mammoth underwear show two years ago, these incredible talents have regularly returned to show at fashion week. Ben hosted a low key intimate dinner for Michael Cinco and Allison, an alumna of America's Next Top Model, the face of Impalpable, Michael's new fragrance. Allison bravely tried the Pinoy dishes at Abe, but she was particularly entranced by the crystalline colors of sago at gulaman.

The Bench fashion show closes Fashion Week, and it is always a much buzzed about show. As the saying goes: save the best for last.

America's Next Top Model runner up Allison Harvard!

ANTM producer, Filipino pride Michael Carandang.

With my soulmate, model Tierry Vilson from Portugal (Hahaha!)

With my favorite Joseph Marco, models Jairus Ferrer, Allison Harvard and Tierry Vilson.

We wear sunglasses at night! (Napaka-80s!) With the very very genius Michael Cinco. Another Filipino pride!

With the ultimate Filipino pride, Ben Chan!

With two of my favorite pair in the Philippines, Ben Chan and architect Miguel Pastor.

With internationally renowned photographer Lope Navo! The best!

Saying long goodbyes, Filipino style, outside Serendra.

Bye Allison! Bye soulmate! Hahaha

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

The star behind the stars

Long before Cory Valenzuela Vidanes was Tita Cory, ABS-CBN channel head and confidant to the stars, I knew her as the quiet cousin of my sister-in-law Nina Daza Puyat. Nina herself is quite chatty and her cousin and matchmaker Pat-P Daza could put a megaphone to shame, and whenever there would be children's parties or intimate birthday gatherings, I would wonder if Cory ever got a word in. I do remember that every time there would be showbiz controversies, even if Nina and Pat-P would make her kulit, she was always very protective of her stars.

While we were in college, my best friend Angelette Calero and I worked as production assistants in ABS. Cory was a very dedicated and extremely hardworking producer and it seemed as if she never ever went home. Whenever we would be in the studio or the production office, she would be either rushing to a meeting or busy at her desk.

Of course, she is even busier now, so her birthday celebration at Buddha Bar was a wonderful chance to relax and party. A few weeks ago, I ran into fashion designer Paul Cabral, window shopping in Univers Homme et Femme. He confessed that he was looking for a present for Cory. "Pero, alam mo naman, ayaw niya ng anything maarte."

Yes, whether it is how she dresses or how she talks, she is not loud. But she can definitely be heard. And she always makes you feel that she is listening to you.